Linda Mahon

I love my job, but what I love more is volunteering with The Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD). They do great work, and I’m privileged to be a part of it.

— Linda Mahon

Linda grew up and has spent her entire life in the Chicago area. A number of years after graduating high school, Linda worked as a "Kelly Girl" at the Federal Reserve Bank in Chicago. She later accepted a permanent position and has called the Bank home for the past 31 years. Linda started out as receptionist/typist and is now the senior administrator in IT, supporting more than 130 executives and staff. David Cheeks, Linda's co-worker at the bank and the person who introduced her to the Food Depository years ago, will be joining her on the cruise.

Linda has a heart bigger than the Federal Reserve System, and she puts that heart to good use. Although she works long hours at the bank, she always finds time to help out at the Food Depository, which is a large organization that provides food for more than 650 shelters, soup kitchens, and food pantries throughout the greater Chicago area. Some of Linda's volunteer opportunities with the Food Depository include sorting food and produce donations for quality and repackaging the products into proper sized containers. She also participates in as many special events as possible such as grocery store grand openings where she staffs hot dog stands to raise funds for the Food Depository; rescuing food from various Food Shows in the city, and handing out cheese cake for donations. In 2007, Linda was recognized by the Greater Chicago Food Depository as volunteer of the year.

A few years back when Linda went to visit her Dad at the senior living facility where he resided, she saw him cooking with some products obtained from the Food Depository. She realized then that her work had gone full circle and that her efforts were actually helping the people dearest to her. Says Linda, "Dad has passed away, but I know our work is helping other Moms and Dads to eat, and that means a lot to me."

While her heart is with the Food Depository, Linda has also volunteered with several other organizations including Junior Achievement, American Red Cross, and United Way. Finally, she is active in her church and films the services each week, which she edits and submits to air on public cable television for others to view.